Swedish dark synthpop band PRIEST has released “Python”, the first single from its forthcoming fifth album, “Altered State Police”, due on 23 October via Blue Nine. The song uses electronic and industrial sounds to address digital surveillance, presenting the subject as both a dancefloor track and a warning about the routine collection of personal data.

The album is intended as a continuous, immersive experience exploring surveillance, political distrust, technological dependence and the boundary between people and machines. PRIEST, active since 2017 and featuring former GHOST members including vocalist Mercury, says the record’s songs connect thematically; the band has previously released albums including “New Flesh”, “Dark Pulse” and “Body Machine”.